LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Every day we all look to see what the weather will be like. That can be as simple as looking at the upcoming temperatures, but more often than not each day will have an impact on our daily routine.
But some days will have a greater impact than others and that's why we are implementing THV11 Weather Impact Alerts. Below we will explain what they are, why we issue them, and the criteria that triggers a Weather Impact Alert.
Weather Impact Alert
We will issue an alert when we expect a weather event will impact your day, which can include your commute to or from work or to expect a change to your weekend plans. This is weather that can be disruptive, dangerous, or inconvenient.
When our alert goes out, we will tell you when they occur, the impact they will cause for Arkansans, and what you need to do to stay safe.
An alert can be as small as a few hours to as long as several days. Our goal is to issue these alerts ahead of time to give you a chance to prepare, but some alerts will come in the day of an event or as it is happening.
If the threat diminishes or changes, we will communicate that as well.
How you'll be notified
When our THV11 Weather Impact Team determines the need for an alert, we will tell you on our newscasts as well as on our digital platforms and social media.
We intend to send several alerts through our THV11 phone app ahead of the weather event, but will send more during the event depending on the severity of the impact.
Our criteria
If our meteorologists identify that a weather impact will be coming to Arkansas, we will issue a THV11 Weather Impact Alert. We have criteria below for what will trigger an alert, but there will often be events that we cannot predict that will also call for an alert.
Severe weather
In order for us to issue an alert for severe weather, a storm must have an enhance or higher risk. A slight risk can be an alert if it comes with a chance of large hail or high winds.
Any chance of tornadoes in the state will have a significant impact and will be a reason for multiple alerts before, during, and after the storms. We will remind you to stay safe during these storms as they have the chance to destroy homes and more.
We will not issue a severe weather alert if it is more than four days out. The outlook beyond four days can change significantly and we want to make sure we are giving you the most reliable, up-to-date information.
Rain or flooding
Heavy rain can often cause flooding issues, especially in south Arkansas, and thus will call for an alert.
We will also issue alerts if the rain will impact morning and evening commutes. The time ranges are from 6-9 a.m. and 4-7 p.m.
Wind
If our weather forecast shows that there will be sustained winds over 35 mph or wind gusts over 45 mph, we will issue an alert.
Heat
An alert will sent out if there are excessive heat warnings, multiple days if the temperature remains above 100 degrees, and if there are any fire warnings or red flag days.
Heat alerts will also be given out if we know there are any upcoming festivals, holidays, or events where people will be outside for an extended time.
Fog
If a dense fog advisory is impacting daily commutes or the metro area, we may issue an alert. These will generally be sent out the day before or as it is happening and are short lived.
Winter weather
If we are expecting any sort of freezing precipitation in Arkansas, we will send out an alert. That includes rain, snow, sleet, or any mixture.
An extended risk of extreme cold will be a reason for an alert. We will usually issue these if the temperature will be below freezing for two or more days, but could change depending on how cold it could get.
During this time, we will also remind you about the possibility of freezing pipes and protecting your pets and plants.
Other events
Tropical storms that make landfall in the United States have a chance to impact Arkansas weather.
Other events could include Saharan dust and additional weather forecasts that happen through the year.
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